Publicly representing our organization’s mission, the Crewe of De Soto is the most visible arm of the Hernando de Soto Historical Society along with the one member per year who gets to don the helmet and dress of Hernando de Soto. Dressed in authentic 16th century Spanish attire, complete with chrome plated Morion helmets and plumes, full-width leather belts and corsair swords in scabbards at their sides, history lessons come to life when Hernando de Soto and his Crewe speak about the importance of our heritage.

For over 75 years, the De Soto Heritage Festival has celebrated the intellect and talent of a select group of special young women from the community by naming them to the De Soto Queen’s Court, a scholarship program.

Candidates are recommended by the community and then the Hernando De Soto Historical Society makes its choices on the basis of character, appearance, scholastic ability, high morals, and personality.

The De Soto Queen’s Court serves as goodwill ambassadors for the Hernando De Soto Historical Society and Manatee County through the following spring.

Hernando de Soto, the Captain of the Crewe, their ladies, and our De Soto Queen and Princess travel across the world representing our community. They introduce Manatee County as an area rich in cultural, historical, agricultural, and environmental diversity to the thousands of people they meet each year.

During the 2019 De Soto Heritage Festival, our Hernando de Soto, Mark Hildebrandt, was invested and his Queen, Langston Sellars, was elected by the Society Membership. Joining this pair are Captain of the Crewe Steve Covey and Princess Claire Strickland.